Valdez-less Creamline sustains unbeaten run, closes in on PVL Open finals with five-set win over BaliPure

Cesca Racraquin and the Cool Smashers keep their record unblemished. Dante Peralta

CREAMLINE overcame a tough challenge from BaliPure, 25-19, 13-25, 28-26, 18-25, 15-7, on Saturday to move a step closer to the finals of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

The Cool Smashers sustained their unbeaten run, stretching the win streak to eight, four without top hitter Alyssa Valdez.

The former UAAP star, who returned earlier this week from a 17-day training in Japan with the Philippine women’s volleyball team, is being held out for the rest of the PVL Open tournament, according to mother company Rebisco.

Rosemarie Vargas led the way for the Cool Smashers with 19 points, Pau Soriano added 18, Cesca Racraquin and Rizza Mandapat chipped in 11 markers apiece and Ging Balse had 10.

“Unang una, the team naman is ready naman to play without Alyssa. Everyday nire-ready sila ni coach Tai so without Alyssa we’re happy, with Alyssa we’re very happy,” said Creamline assistant coach Oliver Almadro.

“Everybody showed their heart, nagtulung-tulong talaga, it’s their teamwork and a find-a-away-make-a-way system,” he added.

Creamline can close out the best-of-three series on Sunday.

“We hope we can bring this win tomorrow,” said Almadro. “Siguro I guess ang mentality na lang ng mga players on how they will prepare and how hungry are they for tomorrow’s game. We will just be humble and stay hungry.”